Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-20

OIAI IAIh All
Lord and Lady Montbarry wero received
by tho houselseeoper, the manager being abb
sent for day or two on business connected
with tho affairs Of the hotel
Tho rooms reserved for tho travellers, on
the first floor, wero three in number, consist
ing of two bedrooms opening into each other,
and communicating on the left with draw
ing room. Complete so far, the arrangements
proved to be less satisfactory In reference to
the third bedroom required for Agnes and for
the eldest daughter OF Lord Montbarry, who
usually slept with her on their travels. The
bed chamber on tho right OF the drawing
room was already occupied by an English
widow lady. Other bed chambers at the other
end of the corridor were also lot in every
case. There was, accordingly, no alternative
but to place at the disposal Of Agnes a conf
Portable room on the second floor. Lady
Montbarry vainly complained of this separa-
ton Of ono Of the members Of her travelling
party from the rest The housekeeper politely
limited that It was impossible for her to ask
other travellers to give up their rooms. She
could only express her regret, and assure Miss
Lockwood that her bed chamber on tho sec
ond floor was ono Of the best rooms in that
part Of the hotel.
On tho retirement OF the housekeeper Lady
Montbarry noticed that Agnes seated herself
apart, feeling apparently no interest In the
question Of the bedrooms Was she ill No;
she felt q little unnerved by the railway jour
ney. and that was all Hearing this, Lord
Montbarry proposed that she should go out
with him and try the experiment Of half an
hours walk In the cool air. Agnes gladly ac-
cspted the suggestion. They directed their
steps toward the square St Mark, SO az to ell
10y tho breeze blowing over the lagoon. It was
Tue first visit Of Agnes TO Venice. The fasci-
nation Of the wonderful city OF the waters OK
erted its full influence over her sensitive ma
ture. Tho proposed half hour Of the walk had
passed away and was fast expanding to half
All hour more before Lord Aontbarry could
persuade his companion to remember that
dinner was waiting for them. As they re-
turned, passing under tho colonnade, neither
Of them noticed lady In deep mourning
lettering In tho open space Of the square She
gtarted as she recognized Agnes walking with
the new Lord Montbarry, hesitated for a mo
ment and then followed them, at discreet
distance, back to the hotel.
Lady Montbarry received Agnes in high
spirits with news Of an event which had hap
pened in her absence.
She had not left tho hotel more than ten
minutes before little note in pencil was
brought to Lady Montbarry by the house.
keeper. The writer proved to DO no less a
person than the widow lady who occupied the
room on the other side Of the drawing room
which her ladyship had vainly hoped to Sc
cure for Agnes Writing under tho name Of
Mrs. James, the polite widow explained that
she had heard from the housekeepor Of the
disappointment experienced by Lady Mont
barry in tho matter of the rooms Mrs.
James was quite alone; and, as long as her
bedchamber was airy and comfortable, it
mattcred nothing TO her whether she slept on
the first or tho second floor Of the house. She
had accordingly much pleasure in proposing
| to change rooms with Miss Lockwood. Her
| luggage had already been removed, and Miss
Lockwood had only to take possession of the
room mo. 13A), which was now entirely at
her disposal.
~ Immediately proposed TO sec Mrs, James, "
Lady Montbarry continued "and to thank
her personally for her extreme kindness. But
was informed that she had gone out, with
out leaving word at what hour sho might be
expected to return. ! have written n little
noto OF thanks, saying that we hope to have
the pleasure Of personally expressing our
sense OF Mrs. James courtesy tomorrow. In
tho meantime, Agnes, have ordered your
boxes to DO removed downstairs. Go and
Judge for yourself, my dear, II that good lady
has not given up to you the prettiest room in
the house"
With these words Lady Montbarry left
Miss Lockwood to make a hastY toilet fol
dinner.
The new room at once produced q favor
able impression on Agnes. Tho large window,
opening into a balcony, commanded an
admirable view of the canal. The decora.
lions on tho walls and ceilings were carefully
copied from the exqulsitely graceful designs
OF Raphael in tho Vatican. The massive
wardrobe possessed compartments OF un-
usual size, In which double the number Of
dresses that Agnes possessed might have con-
veniently hung at full length. In the inner
corner Of tho room, near the head OF the bed
stead, there was recess which had been
turned into little dressing room, and which
opened by n second door on the inferior stair
case OF the hotel, commonly used by the SCR
wants. Noticing these aspects Of the room
at n glance, Agnes made the necessary change
in hor dress as quickly as possible. On her
way back TO the drawing room she was i'd
dressed by n chambermaid in tho corridor,
who asked for the key. II will put your
room tidy for the night, miss" the woman
said, sand will then bring the key back to
you in the drawing room"
While tho ehnmbermaid was at her work q
solitary Indy lettering about the corridor OF
the second story, WIS watching her over the
balusters. After a while the maid appeared
with her pail in her hand leaving the room
| by way Of the dressing room and the back
stairs. AS she passed out OF sight the lady on
the second floor mo other, It Is needless TO
add, than the countess HERSELF ran swiftly
down tho stairs, entered the bed chamber by
the principal door and hid herself In the
empty side compartment Of the wardrobe.
Tho chambemnid returned, completed her
work, locked the door Of the dressing room on
the inner side, locked the principal entrance
door on leaving the room, and returned the
key to Agnes in the drawing room.
Tho travellers were just sitting down TO
their late dinner when one OF the children
noticed that Agnes was not wearing der
watch. Had she left II in her bed chamber in
the hurry Of changing her dressl She rose
from the table at once In search Of her watch;
Lady MontbarTy advising her MS she went
cut to see 10 tho security Of her bed chamber
IN the event Of there being thieves In the
house. Agnes found her watch, forgotten,
on tho toilet table, rs she Ind anticipated.
Before leaving the room again she acted on
Lady MontbaITy's advice and tried tho key
In tho lock Of the dressing room door, She
left the bed chamber, locking the main door
behind her.
Immediately on her departure the countess.
by the confined air in the ward
robe, ventured on stepping out of her hiding
place into tho empty room.
Entering the dressing room on tlptoc, she
listened ut tho door until tho silence outside